Janet Jepeway

Janet A. Jepeway

Feb. 6, 1942 - June 20, 2006

After a three-month struggle, Janet Arleen
Jepeway succumbed to ovarian cancer Tuesday, June 20, at Mary Greeley Medical
Center in Ames. She loved the Ames community and had resided
here since 1969. Janet was born February 6, 1942 in Kansas City,
Missouri, the daughter of Gertrude Mae (LeTourneau) Jepeway and Adrian
Jepeway.

Tribune photo by Jon Britton

Janet was raised in northeast Iowa
by her maternal grandmother and graduated with honors from Waukon High
School in 1960. Pursuing higher education, she received her B.A.
degree from Truman State University (formerly Northeast Missouri State
University) in 1965, and her M.S. degree from Iowa State University in
1975. As a professional, her overall area of interest was human behavior
with a specialty in organizational building and development.

Janet has enjoyed a rich career in educational,
non-profit volunteer organizations, and private business. Her working
style involved forming linkages and partnerships among organizations and
individuals based on common interests. She was director of the Young
Adult Program at the YWCA in Des Moines and was involved in its successful
capital campaign, the first by a Des Moines women’s organization.
Through the years she has served Iowa State University in a variety of
positions with the Engineering Research Institute, Office of International
Students and Scholars, Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment,
ISU Foundation, and Admissions Office. In the private and business
sectors, she worked for the American Red Cross; the Assault Care Center
Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS); was co-owner of an independent
trucking and freight business in Des Moines; and part owner of Outdoor
Lighting Associates, Inc. in Ames. Since 1997, Janet has been employed
at Access Direct Telemarketing (now PRC) in various positions, including
business to business calling, Quality Assurance Department, and Recruitment
and Retention/Staff Supervision.

Janet’s community involvement included: life memberships
in ISU Alumni Association, ISU Memorial Union, and Wheatsfield Grocery;
artist memberships in Ames Community Arts Council and Main Street Cultural
District; Advisory Board member of Story County Conservation Partners;
and Dark-Sky Preservation Committee member in Ames Area Amateur Astronomers.
She also held memberships in Ames Camera Club; Big Bluestem Audubon Society;
Iowa Ornithologists’ Union; and Friends of Central Iowa Biking. Janet
has been a committed board member and vice-president of the Ames Historical
Society, and in that role was responsible for launching the Society’s building
fund by recruiting an anonymous donor. At her own initiative she
developed the Hallett’s/Hayden Project in which she created an historical
record illustrated by over 1,500 photos of Hallett’s Quarry and its restoration
as Ada Hayden Heritage Park. Many residents will recall attending
her photo exhibits and presentations given at Story County Conservation
as well as the presentation at the Ada Hayden Heritage Park dedication.

Janet’s passions have been nature appreciation
and photography. She began taking pictures at age ten when she was
given a Brownie camera. She has enjoyed travel throughout the U.S.
as well as Japan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, India, and Australia.
As a creative artist, Janet enjoyed doing macrame and exhibited at the
Art Thing in the mid-1970s. Many organizations have benefited from
her interpersonal and organizational skills. Friends will remember
her empathy for humankind and love of nature (particularly birds).

Being the last leaf on the tree, Janet left
no survivors. Friends and colleagues will announce plans for a memorial
service and scattering of the cremains at a later date. Memorials
may be donated to the Ames Historical Society, Story County Conservation,
Big Bluestem Audubon Society, Ames Area Amateur Astronomers, or Ames Camera
Club.